Automatic gas-conteol snap valve



1,561,915 J. ELLIS AUTOMATIG GAS CONTR6L SNAP VALVE Nov. 17, 1925. Y

Filed Sept. 19. 1922 WITNV INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOHN ELLIS, 0F WESTVIEW, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC GAS-CONTROL SNAP VALVE.

Application filed September 13, 1922. Serial No. 589,146.

To all whom it may canoe-m:

Be it known that I, JOHN ELLIs, a citizen of the United States, residingat Westview, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Gas-Control SnapValves, of which improvement the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic gas fuel control devices for waterheaters, and in particular to devices of the general character in whichthe gas is automatically controlled by the variation in the temperatureof the water in the heater.

The invention has for one of its objects, to provide a simple, practicaland eflicient snap valve mechanism for use in water heaters, moreespecially of the tank class, which will automatically and suddenly cutoff the supply of gas to the burner when. the temperature of the Waterrises to a predetermined degree and then in due time automatically andsuddenly turn on the gas supply to the burner when the temperature ofthe water falls to a predetermined degree, said turn ing off and on ofthe gas occurring successively and at such periods of time as the changefrom the one temperature to the other permits.

Another object is to provide a device of this character in which springsare entirely dispensed with, thus reducing the possibility of failure tooperate, through spring breakage, to a minimum.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one embodiment of myinvention in which Figure 1 is a sectional view in side elevation of thedevice, and

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the gas valve chamber portiondisconnected. I

The device embodies a chamber 1, of two sections, the upper section 2forming the gas chamber proper and the lower section 3 forming anenclosure for the mechanism. The two parts are separated by the flange 4having a gas port 5 formed therein which communicates with the lowerchamber section. These two sections are, inpractice, suitably secured toone another as by screws 4, the connection being such as will form a gastight structure. The gas chamber 2 is provided with an inlet 6, whereconnection is to be made to the gas supply. Fitted into this chamber,above the gas port, is a cap 7 having a downwardly extended hollow bossportion 8. A light gravity valve 9 of disc orm is provided, upon theupper side of which isformed a guidest'em 10 which loosely fits into theaforesaid cap boss. This valve controls the annular gas port 5 and hasformed upon its underside a centrally and downwardly disposed stem 11,also, the radially spaced guides 12, which guides loosely fit within thegas port. v

The lower section'ii, has a gas outlet 13 at its base where connectionis to be made by a pipe leading to the gas burnerof the heat- 1 toextend for some distance into the water boiler 18 which inpractice, maybe about 10 inches, or more. Within this tube is-loosely fitted athermostat rod 15' of porcelain, or other suitable material, which lacksthe property of expansion and contraction as near as possible, havingits rear or outer end in engagement withthe plug or closed 1 end of thetube. Surrounding this tube, for a short distance. is a short section ofpipe or casing 16, which is secured to the chamber, but withoutcommunicating therewith, and is of a diameter sufficiently greater thanthat of the thermostat tube to form a clearance space 17 thereahout. Theouter end of this casing communicates with and is connected to theaforesaid boiler 18.

Within this lower chamber section, at a point opposite the thermostat,is arranged a vertically disposed fulcrum block 19, which is pivotallysupported upon the pin 20. This block, which has a fulcrum depression 21formed therein, is adapted to be adjusted upon its pivot bv the screw 22extending from the chamber wall. The mechanism for actuating the valveby the thermostat consists of a lever 23, having a downwardly disposedportion 24, and is arranged in a sub stantially horizontal positionwithin the chamber and with its fulcrum point or knife edge 25 engagingin the depression 21 of the fulcrum block. This lever is also providedwith a fulcrum depression 26, where the thermostatic power is applied,and which, as will be noted, is located ofl center from or in a plane, asuitable distance above that of the fulcrum point 25, to give thedesired'leverage. Disposed between this lever and the thermostat rod isa thrust pin 27, having a base portion 28 which slidably engages withthe lower wall of the chamber. This pin, which is virtually an extensionof the thermostat rod is disposed and operates in axial alinementtherewith and is engaged at its rear by the thermostat rod, said pinbeing provided at its forward end with a knife edge or fulcrum point 29where it engages in the lever depression 26. Proper adjustment of themechanism to operate at the desired temperature is effected by means ofthe aforesaid screw 22, as will be readily apparent.

Operatiom-Assuming, as shown in Fig. 1, that the water in the tank,which also extends into the casing 16 about the thermostat tube 14, hasreached the high predetermined degree and caused the gas flowing to theburner to be cut Ofl". Such being the case, the thermostat tube 14 thencontracts as the water thereabout cools, and causes the rod 15 to movetoward the chamber. Now as the rod 15, thrust pin 27, lever 23 and valvestem 11, are all in operative engagement, and as the valve 9 is beingheld to its seat by the pressure of the gas thereon, it is evident thatsome strain will be effected in the mechanism between the valve andthermostat rod, as the water decreases in temperature. When this strainfrom the thermostat acting on the underside of the valve reaches thepoint where it overcomes the gas pressure on the upper side of thevalve, the valve is then suddenly opened or forced from its seat,allowing gas to pass through the chamber to theheater burner (notshown). As the heat from the burner gradually raises the temperature ofthe water, the valve is also gradually lowered toward its seat, due tothe expansive eiiect of the thermostat tube supporting the same throughthe intermediate lever. When the valve is lowered to the position wherethe gas pressure becomes effective, or the point at which thepredetermined high temperature is reached, the valve is suddenly closedagain, cutting ofi the supply of gas. This opening and closing of. thegas valve, to control the gas supply to the burner, continuesautomatically in successive order and at such periods of time as thepredetermined temperatures will permit.

While I have shown and described a certain embodiment of my invention,various modifications, sucn as changes in detail parts, theirarrangement and co-operation may be made without departing from thespirit of my invention and be within the scope of the appended. claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a gas control snap valve mechanism for water heaters, thecombination of a gravity gas-control valve adapted to be seated by thecombined gas pressure and the gravity thereof, a thermostat and a singlelever, the thermostat adapted at intervals to automatically actuate saidlever for overcoming the gas pressure and gravity acting on the valve toquickly snap it from its seat when the temperature of the waterdecreases to a predetermined degree and to automatically actuate saidlever in an opposite direction to permit the combined forces of gas andgravity quickly snapping the valve to closed position when thetemperature of the water rises to a predetermined ate said pin and leverfor overcoming the gas pressure and gravity acting on the valve toquickly snap it from its seat when the temperature of the waterdecreases to a predetermined degree and to automatically actuate saidpin and lever in an opposite direction to permit the combined forces ofgas and gravity quickly snapping the valve to closed position when thetemperature of the water rises to a predetermined degree.

2). In a gas control snap valve mechanism for water heaters, thecombination of a gravity gas-control valve adapted to be seated by thecombined gas pressure and the gravity thereof, a thermostat, a singlelever, and a thrust pin interposed between said lever and thermostat,the thermostat adapted at intervals to automatically actuate said pinand lever for overcoming the gas pressure and gravity acting on thevalve to quickly snap it from its seat when the temperature of the waterdecreases to a predetermined degree and to automatically actuate saidpin and lever in an opposite direction to permit the combination forcesof gas and gravity quickly snapping "the valve to closed position whenthe temperature of the water rises to a predetermined degree, and meansfor adjusting said lever for valve actuation at the desiredtemperatures.

4. In a gas control for water heaters, the combination with a gaschamber, of a gravit-y valve for controlling a gas port therein andadapted for snap closure of said port by the combined action of itsgravity and the gas pressure actin thereon, a thermostat attached tosaid c amber and adapted to connect with a water heater, a singlefulcrumed lever, and a thrust pin disposed between the lever andthermostat, said lever being fulcrumed at a suitable distance out ofalinement of the thrust pin, the ther1nostat adapted at a predeterminedlow temperature to automatically adjust said lever and pin to overcomethe gas pressure and gravity acting on the gas valve and sudtill denlysnap the same open and to automatically adjust said lever and pinsufiicient for the gas pressure and valve gravity to overcome the sameand snap the valve closed at a predetermined increase of temperature.

5. In a gas control for water heaters, the

combination with a as chamber, of a gravity valve for controfiinga gasport therein and adapted for sna by the combined actlon of its gravityand the gas pressure actin thereon, a thermostat attached to said 0amber and adapted to connect with a water heater, a single fulcrumedlever, and a thrust pin disposed between the lever and thermostat, saidlever being fulcrumed at a suitable distance. out of alinement of thethrust pin, the thermostat adapted at a predetermined low temperature toautomatically adjust said lever and pin to overcome the gas pressure andgravity acting on the gas valve and suddenly snap the same open and toautomatically adjust said lever and pin suflicient for closure of saidport the gas pressure and valve gravity to overcome the same and snapthe valve closed at a predetermined increase of temperature, and means,for adjusting said lever for valve actuations at the desiredtemperatures.

6. A springless snap valve mechanism for gas fuel control, comprising incombination with a gas chamber a gravity disc valve for controlling thegas supply, a thermostat, a thrust pin slidably disposed in said chamberand constituting an extension of the thermostat, and a singlesubstantially L-shaped fulcrum lever disposed between and in engagementwith the thrust pin and valve, said valve adapted to be snap closed bythe combined action of gas pressure and gravity and snapped open by theaction of the thermostat overcoming the opposing gas pressure andgravity acting thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN ELLIS.

